UPDATE 2-Tennis-Dementieva, Wozniacki join rush for Tokyo exit

TOKYO, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Russia's Elena Dementieva became
the latest high-profile casualty at the Pan Pacific Open when
the third seed was upset by Ukraine's Kateryna Bondarenko in
the second round on Tuesday.

The Olympic champion was beaten 6-2 6-7 6-1 to leave the $2
million Tokyo event shorn of its top three seeds and she was
quickly joined at the checkout counter by fourth seeded Dane
Caroline Wozniacki, who retired with a viral infection.

Former world number one Maria Sharapova had no such
problems, however, powering into the last 16 in Tokyo with an
almost flawless 6-0 6-1 victory over Australia's Samantha
Stosur.

Current number one Dinara Safina, second seed Venus
Williams and French Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova all lost
their opening matches on Monday after first-round byes.

A tournament which began with nine of the world's top 10
was down to just two before the close of play on Tuesday.

Dementieva blamed some questionable line calls and fatigue
for her loss to a player she had not conceded a set to in four
previous meetings.

BAD CALLS

"There were way too many bad calls from the chair umpire
today," she grumbled to reporters. "I'm surprised they don't
have a challenge system at such a big event."

Dementieva, a second-round loser at the U.S. Open earlier
this month, added: "I played way too many matches in the U.S.
Open series. I just didn't have the energy."

Sharapova, 25th in the world rankings following shoulder
surgery a year ago, answered the prayers of tournament
organisers by overpowering 12th seed Stosur in just 57 minutes.

Stosur at least avoided the dreaded "double bagel" by
saving two match points at 0-5 in the second set but the
Russian wrapped up a clinical victory with an ace two minutes
later.

"I just want to finish the year on a good note," Sharapova
said. "I served smart. It was definitely a good day at the
office all around."

Beaten U.S. Open finalist Wozniacki walked off court in
obvious discomfort after losing the first five games of her
match against Canada's Aleksandra Wozniak.
(Editing by John O'Brien; To query or comment on this story
email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)